44 knuckle swap

[4x4junkie]

Here ya go, is this the one??
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47420&highlight=knuckle
SVT

It's not clear on what was done about the brakes. I can see that if you cut the D35 caliper mount off and added a new bracket for a D44 caliper that it could work.

Any way you look at it, it does appear like a very good way to do the swap. No reaming of balljoint tapers or altercation of the camber because of a different knuckle.

 

[twoll86]

email fron baker motorsports

Its true,the snout off the bronco fit right onto the ranger spindle,must have the five bolt hole pattern,brake caliper mounts cut off and new ones welded to spindle to accept wilwood calipers.call if you need help thank John Baker 714 891 3086


On Tue, Dec 8, 2009 at 1:55 AM, Anderson, John A A1C USAF ACC 1 EMS/MXMF <John.Anderson1@langley.af.mil> wrote:


Hello

I read on a forum about your truck and was wondering if I could get some more info on the front suspension I was wondering how you converted the tbb 35 to have 44 hubs I was told you used 1996 bronco spindles if that is true how did you do the brakes?



SrA John Anderson

 

[CopyKat]

I have a 95 knuckle with the 5 bolt pattern. So it does exist. It's not as easy as just bolting everything up.

Look at the mappyjack article. at the bottom he goes into some detail about it.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I have a quick question. I may have over looked it in the tech article.

How much does the D44 knuckle effect the offset of the wheels? I am assuming the 4.5 to 5.5 wheel adapter is about 1" and it looks like that sets it about even with the D44 knuckles.

Also when did the 150 switch to dual piston calipers? I know the Ranger switched in 95, but is that when the 150 upgraded as well.

 

[CopyKat]

You get no major gain in axle width. Maybe 3/4" at most.

With a 1990 ranger 8.8 and the 1.5" spacer/adapters I'm about 1/2" wider up front.

 

[PlumCrazy]

I am running an exploder 31 spline rear (which I believe is an 1'' wider per side than the Ranger), so the D44 knuckles would be just about right if I left the rear alone.

EDIT: According to the tech library the 31 spline is 1.625 inches wider on each side

 

[CopyKat]

I am running an exploder 31 spline rear (which I believe is an 1'' wider per side than the Ranger), so the D44 knuckles would be just about right if I left the rear alone.

Correct. I had the Explorer axle under the truck when I did the knuckle swap and it looked goofy. as the rear was about 3" wider. It was noticable. This isn't a 76 Camaro, it a 4x4 Bronco. Just didn't look right. Might not be as bad with a longer WB ranger. But I didn't like it and it bugged the shit out of me.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Correct. I had the Explorer axle under the truck when I did the knuckle swap and it looked goofy. as the rear was about 3" wider. It was noticable. This isn't a 76 Camaro, it a 4x4 Bronco. Just didn't look right. Might not be as bad with a longer WB ranger. But I didn't like it and it bugged the shit out of me.

So, the Expo axle was actually wider than the D44 knuckles? Im running the Expo rear with the stock TTB D35 now and I dont really notice the width difference unless I am looking for it, so I will probably be fine with the D44 knuckles and the expo rear. The only thing that will bug me will be the fact that I have two different lug patterns. But I used to run mud tires on the back of my 2wd and streets up front so I couldnt really rotate them either.lol

 

[dangerranger83]

From the looks of it this kind of swap is like as clear as mud. Looks like the tech. library needs updated with this info.

 

[CopyKat]

So, the Expo axle was actually wider than the D44 knuckles? Im running the Expo rear with the stock TTB D35 now and I dont really notice the width difference unless I am looking for it,

If you plan to keep the 2 lug patterns then you will be fine. I used spacer/adapters to change the lug pattern on mine so ontop pf the explorer axle I had the 1.5" spacer per side.

The misconception is that the knuckle swap adds width to the axle and it's marginal at about 3/4" total.

Stock Explorer 8.8 and D35 width is 59 (.5)" My 90 ranger 8.8 is 56" each spacer is 1.5" so 3" over and that leaves me pretty much dead even at 59"

 

[CopyKat]

I've been thinking about doing a cut and turn D35 setup but want to retain the D44 knuckles. I've got a set of old junk beams. I plan to cut the lower ball joint pad out of both sets. Once I get my camber corrected I'll be using the D44 lower seat and welding it in. No reaming the taper and get lift out of the beams.

Should be starting this project soon. Just to add another way of doing it.

 

[twoll86]

So, the Expo axle was actually wider than the D44 knuckles? Im running the Expo rear with the stock TTB D35 now and I dont really notice the width difference unless I am looking for it, so I will probably be fine with the D44 knuckles and the expo rear. The only thing that will bug me will be the fact that I have two different lug patterns. But I used to run mud tires on the back of my 2wd and streets up front so I couldnt really rotate them either.lol

you could use rear dums and the rest of the stuff from a 8.8 f150 pre 97 and re prill the explorer axles to 5.5

 

[PlumCrazy]

I am already running disc in the rear, I may just run spacers the extra width wont bother me.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I've been thinking about doing a cut and turn D35 setup but want to retain the D44 knuckles. I've got a set of old junk beams. I plan to cut the lower ball joint pad out of both sets. Once I get my camber corrected I'll be using the D44 lower seat and welding it in. No reaming the taper and get lift out of the beams.

Should be starting this project soon. Just to add another way of doing it.

got started on this yet? im very interested in what turns out